Megan McHenry. One of the most meaningful parts of living in Eldoret was getting to meet students at Moi University School of Medicine โ some of the most brilliant, compassionate, and hilarious people I have ever known. We would often stay up late talking and connecting over our experiences as medical students studying 7, miles apart. A few of my friends kindly allowed me to interview them and share parts of their stories here.
Anthony Kibet, a sixth-year student from Eldoret, explained that medical school is six years and students can enroll directly from secondary school, the equivalent to high school in the United States. The first three years are mainly pre-clinical with lectures and exams, and the last three years are clinical and research-based rotations at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital or nearby clinical sites. Lunch is typically a hot meal, including a base of ugali, rice, chips, or chapati with a protein, such as chicken, beef, fish, lentils, or beans.
Franklin Kemboi, a sixth-year student from Eldoret, explained that after tutorial, students will often relax, do housework, play football or meet up with friends. The rest of the night often includes making dinner and returning to the hospital to clerk, or admit a patient and read about them for the following day of rounds. You keep reading, you barely get any sleep, and then go through the torture of waiting for the pass list.
It makes what I am studying feel worth it. Such events just bring so much joy in families. I dream of being so good in my work that it speaks for me. I am looking into doing my fellowship or residency abroad to improve my skills. I want to open a hospital one day or be part of a group that does that. I also dream of inspiring my younger cousins. They are already so proud of me.
Now I just want to be what my patient needs: a doctor who will take away their pain. It started out as a joke because it was the only Swahili word I knew, and so I would use it at the end of every English sentence i. And then the next morning, rushing to the wards and research offices and learning how to improve care for our neighbors, our patients living across western Kenya. Everything was better pamoja.
